Current Events
Dropped Stitches, a group at Washington Commons that knits blankets for hospitals and soldiers, is seeking donations of yarn from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily at the retirement community on Washington Commons Drive off Washington Road across from Club Car. For information, call Holley Howard at (706) 860-0402.

Newsmakers
A group of River Ridge Elementary pupils recently ran the half-marathon sponsored by the Augusta Sports Council on Oct. 25. The students are Hannah Peterson (front, left) and Chelsea Lewis; Macy Clayton (back, from left), Kenzie Leesberg, Ben Romanowski and Emily Crow.

On Vacation
Ron and Kathleen Jones celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary in the romantic city of Paris.

Police Blotter
The following accounts were taken from reports from the Columbia County Sheriff's Office. Additional reports are available at http://www.columbiacountyso.org

Truly nice guy finishes first
When you hear someone use the phrase, "It couldn't happen to a nicer guy," they easily could be talking about Pierce Blanchard.

Close loophole in seat belt laws
Ever since the federal government figured out it could send taxpayers' money back to the states with strings attached, state governments have had to play by the feds' rules to get their full share of their own money.

She threw down her apron and spit on the floor
My dishwasher threw down her apron and quit Monday night, but not before spitting on the floor and calling me terrible names in a language I don't understand. I responded with choice words of my own and punched her buttons, trying to get her going. She made a throaty gurgle and spit on my floor again.

Sports Newsmakers
Harrison Guilbeau, 9, of Evans, killed two deer with one shot while hunting with his father. Harrison is the son of Mark and Paula Guilbeau.

Annual chili contest brings the heat
Though judges at the fourth annual Mayor's Chili Challenge in Harlem were initially deadlocked on a winner Saturday, the Smokin' Chili Cops eventually reclaimed their first-place title.

Transfer impressive in debut for Bulldogs
Harlem High School boys basketball coach Kim Chambers walked through the gym after a loss to Evans in December and pointed out a student in street clothes under a basket. Chambers said senior Al Walden was a game-changer, but he wouldn't be eligible until this month.

Sports Calendar
CSRA Junior Team Tennis will hold open registration until Friday for the spring 2009 team tennis season. Boys and girls age 5-18 are welcome. For registration information, visit www.csratennis.com. In the menu under "Juniors" and "Instructions," click on "Player." You will need a current USTA membership valid through May 1 to register. To obtain a USTA membership, visit www.usta.com or call USTA at (800) 990-8782.

Evans has success in new region
The Evans High School Knights are enjoying the new AAAA region. The Knights went 10-0 in the regular season in football, and so far they are 13-1 in basketball. Their terrific start has garnered Kevin Kenny's team a spot in the AAAA Top 10 rankings.